Mac Antivirus Software Review

Why Use Mac Antivirus Software?

Of course Macs are cooler than PCs. Macs, however, are no longer safer than PCs. A few years ago, Mac users were comparatively safe from hackers. Recently, well-publicized and dramatic Mac OS breaches are prompting more and more Mac users to install antivirus for Mac. Now that the Mac user base has reached the critical mass to attract attention from organized crime, even Apple begrudgingly allows that “antivirus software may offer additional protection.” Indeed! Learn more by reading articles about antivirus software for Mac, especially our reviews of Kromtech MacKeeper, Intego Mac Internet Security and Kaspersky for Mac.

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Mac Antivirus Software: What to Look For

The process of finding the best virus protection for Mac is not difficult if you focus – as we do – on protection, features, and help and support. Let’s zoom in on each of these Apple antivirus product details.

Protections
Antimalware must, at the very least, detect and prevent viruses, spyware, rootkits, keyloggers and Trojan horses from invading your computer. Since no security software can always be effective, it must also be able to seek and destroy malware that successfully infiltrates your system. Viruses are not the only threat. The best antivirus for Mac products also protect you from phishing attempts that trick you into doing something dangerous. Fortunately, the majority of the Mac antivirus software in our review augments antivirus with antiphishing.

Features
Every Mac antivirus product in our review can run a Mac virus scan at times when you do not need to use the computer. Furthermore, they all have the ability to scan a single file or folder and to automatically detect and scan external drives. Only one of the antivirus for Mac products in our review has parental controls, a feature much more likely to be included when you step up from antivirus software to internet security software.

Help & Support
The best virus protection for Mac provides help and support in addition to good performance and useful features. We suggest that you evaluate help and support by asking questions such as: How good is the in-context help while you operate the product? What do you think of the online knowledgebase and tutorials that the vendor hosts on its website? Do product managers ever visit the community forums where users discuss issues? Is it important for you to be able to chat online with technical support, and, would you be satisfied with telephone or email access? Do you care if technical support is available 24/7? Can you get by with support during business hours on weekdays only? What about languages? Do you want support technicians who would understand if you asked: ¿Puedes ayudarme con mi antivirus para Mac? By researching how and when vendors provide help and support, you will minimize unpleasant surprises.

Macs are exposed and vulnerable now that there are enough of them to divert criminal attention from Windows opportunities. You will make the best Mac antivirus purchase decision if you focus on protection, features, and help and support. The online world is a dangerous place.